Feeding the Elderly in Galeana
The meal was tasty and healthy. (click on a photograph to see it larger)
Prayers were answered today (July 12, 2016) as our good friends Juan, Sandra and Patrica saw their dream come true. They cut the ribbon symbolizing the beginning of the Nuevo Corazon Galeana (New Heart) ministry, an elderly and disabled feeding program. It is a Christian-based ministry that will begin distributing cooked meals weekly in the Galeana area. True Path Ministry is proud to support the ministry by allowing them to use Casa Cristana El Alfarero (the ministry house) to cook meals and to provide a dining area for some folks who live close-by.
A large gathering of elderly poor, pastors and Christian helpers were on hand to witness the beginning of the program and to enjoy a healthy meal together. This area of Mexico does not have any of the services that are common in the US. There is no Meals on Wheels or other social programs, nursing homes, or home health agencies.
The idea for Nuevo Corazon Galeana started when Juan, Sandra and Patrica witnessed some elderly folks looking for food in the trash. “It broke my heart and as a Christian I felt I had to do something,” said Sandra.
Sandra was teary-eyed as she talked about the new ministry.
They talked with some people who were giving away donated food in Monterrey. They joined the program as a Galeana branch with a different vision. Their intent was to deliver cooked meals to people in need rather than just give them uncooked food. However, Sandra and Patrica were challenged with how to fund the program. They took their idea to the governor of the state of Nuevo Leon and the president of Galeana (similar in duties as a Texas county judge). Miraculously, even though no similar program had ever been funded, both the governor and the president approved the idea and agreed to help.
The Nuevo Corazon Galeana then began gathering names and locations of people who would benefit from the program. Many of the people at today’s event are on that list. The True Path Ministry team and some others drove to the homes of each one to bring them to the ribbon cutting. Plus, Tonyia took blood pressures. Many Christian friends were on hand to prepare and serve the meal. It was a team effort with Jesus at the head! It was for everyone involved a heart-warming day serving the Lord!
Tonyia took the blood pressure of most everyone at the ceremony.
Martin helps one of the elderly men to a table.
Stephen and Martin picked up and brought most of the elderly folks to the event.
There was some fun times during the meal.
Pastor Israel was one of the three local pastors at the event.
Pastor Reynaldo served as the MC for the event.
Patrica and Sandra pose beside the huge handmade poster. It was made in the image of the elderly couple from the movie “Up.”
All the Christian helpers pitched in when it was time to serve the meal.
The homes of many of the elderly at the event were difficult to reach.
This elderly lady burst into tears as she was so overjoyed to go to the event and get a hug. She lives alone and has no family.
Sandra cooked much of the meal.
Others joined in to prepare the food.
This elderly lady lives alone in a tiny one room adobe house.
Pastor Israel (left), Martin and Pastor Lucas visit before the meal.
Evangelist Ramiro has a good laugh with some of the men at the gathering.
Patricia spoke a few words before the meal.
Tonyia found some of the women had high blood pressure readings.
